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Leeds UCU newsletter February 2019

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(Printed newsletters should be appearing round campus, or you can download it in PDF form here.) Use your vote! We’re balloting again in the dispute over Dispute over casualisation, equal pay, workload and fair pay. It’s vital for our union democracy that you use your vote. Last October Leeds members voted clearly to strike – 70% in favour – on a turnout of 49%. It was the highest national turnout on a pay ballot in UCU’s history. The new anti-trade union law (requiring a 50% turnout) stopped us from striking. We think members should decide, not the government, so we’re re-balloting so that your decision counts. This ballot is an opportunity to show the employers that we are still strong, which will have ramifications for pensions and current and future local issues, disputes and negotiations. We urge all members to vote Yes to strike and Yes to action short of a strike including a marking boycott. We need to know what the whole membership thinks about taking action, so please vote whatever your view. We’re asking the employers to work with us nationally to: Tackle the scandal of casualisation (e.g. 65% of Leeds research staff and 36% of teaching only … continue reading

Solidarity with Queen Margaret UCU strikers

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We are all with you in solidarity as you strike today to defend jobs and to defend each other. Stand firm!  You have much to be proud of! Not only have members at Queen Margaret University refused to take any threat of staff cuts lying down, you have also smashed the anti-trade union act 2016’s threshold barrier with 72% turnout! May your pickets be massive, fun, and enlightening for all around you!  In contrast, Queen Margaret’s senior management should hang their heads in shame. That management prefer to terrorise staff with the threat of the axe rather than to properly explore alternatives with UCU negotiators is a disgrace. The proposed cuts would steal livelihoods and intensify workload pressure on staff who remain in post. Your local strike is all our fight. Nobody strikes lightly, so as you stand together for jobs, for education, and for decency and hope: know that we are with you.  In Solidarity, Vicky Blake (President) on behalf of us all at Leeds UCU continue reading

Email to members – 1 February 2019

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TThe university’s lists system doesn’t seem to be sending this email out to our members – so here is our latest email for all to read! UCU local news: remember to vote; international members survey; improving the adverse weather policy; lots more! Dear UCU members – A few brief updates for you: Strike ballot – remember to vote, don’t be silenced Need a replacement ballot paper? Want to know how this ballot applies to you? Want to tell us you’ve voted? See our frequently asked questions Election for UCU national vice president – our Vicky Blake on the ballot paper The election for UCU national vice president opens on Friday 1 February. Our fantastic president Vicky Blake is one of the candidates. We’re holding a hustings on 12 February at 12pm. International staff survey Our international staff survey is live now. It’s open to non-members too, so pass it on to your friends and colleagues! leedsucu.org.uk/international-staff-survey New adverse weather policy We’ve made improvements to this policy before the university published it, to emphasise staff health and safety over keeping the university running. You shouldn’t feel pressured to come into work if it’s not safe to. leedsucu.org.uk/unions-improve-new-adverse-weather-policy Help us beat casualisation … continue reading

Dispute over casualisation, equal pay, workload and fair pay

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Your industrial action ballot paper should have arrived shortly after 16 January 2019. It’s vital for our union democracy that you use your vote. The vote has to be done by post because the government made it illegal to run industrial action ballots online. Please use your vote – democracy is important We need to know what the whole membership thinks about taking action, so please vote whatever your view. We’re asking you to tell us locally when you’ve voted (not how you voted) because this will help us get the 50% turnout. The ballot is open until midday Friday 22nd February. Why are we balloting again? Last October Leeds members voted clearly – 70% – to strike over casualisation, gender equality, workload and fair pay, with a turnout of 49%. It was the highest national turnout on a pay ballot in UCU’s history. Only the new anti-trade union law stopped us from striking. We think members should decide, not the government. We’re re-balloting to exceed the 50% legal threshold so that your decision counts. More on this in our Frequently Asked Questions page. We urge all members to vote Yes to strike and Yes to action short of a … continue reading